Winding meghanis



No. s07,|44. Patent'ed'luly l2, I898. 12. .L. TESKE. WINDING MECHANISM FOR TIMEPIECES.

(Application filodMar. 8, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

- (N0 Model.)

aainmmmm In wen/tor.- Charles L fets'lre,

m: Nonms PETERS cu, PHOTO-UTHQ, WASHINGTON. n. c.

No. 607,I4.4.'

' C. L. TESKE.

WINDING MECHANISM FOR TIMEPIECES. (Application filed Mar. S, 1398.)

Patented July I2, 1898.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Mlljlllj!!!llllIIlllllllmauljyllmlllllvn u Witnesses:

Inventor.

alzarlas Z. 'jksvi'e.

THE mums PETERS 00.. PHOTO-Lind)" wAsumafuii, d. c.

Unirnio STATES it PATENT CHARLES L. TESKE, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WiNDING MECHANISM FOR TlMEPlECES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,144, dated July 12, 1898.

Application filed March 8,1898.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. TEsKE, a citizen of the United States, residing in l'lartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in finding Driving Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to windingdriving mechanism, and especially to a winding mechanism for time-movements or watch-movements of clocks, watches and other powerdriven mechanism in which the movements of the driven member are imparted by force stored up in a previously-wound spring, cord, or other winding device.

The principal feature of this invention is the provision of an improved winding mechanism for clocks, watches, &c., in which the spring, cord, or other winding member can be wound up without straining the same unduly.

As is well known, in clocks and watches as heretofore constructed it has been possible, and, indeed, customary unless great care has been exercised, to wind up the mainspring to its full extent and until the winding-wheel could be turned no further. It is obvious that in timepieces of delicate workmanship constructed to keep accurate time within a few seconds per week or month such straining of the mainspring would result in storing up considerable surplus power, which of course when released would drive the timetrain at an accelerated rate of speed and thereby impair the accuracy and usefulness of the movement as a time-keeping mechanism. In addition to these extra forces stored up in the mainspring by the overwinding thereof there is usually another force present to increase the speed of movement of the train, and this second surplus force is obtained in watch and clock movements when the pawl or click forcibly locks the last tooth of the winding-wheel and thereby obtains and maintains a considerable leverage, which of course will be exerted upon the wheels of the time-train to increase the speed movement of the latter.

The principal object of this invention is to prevent the overwinding of the mainspring or other winding member of a time-movement, and hence prevent the transmission to the Serial No. 673,111. (No model.)

driven members of the time-train of a force or forces in excess of that which the spring is designed to impart. I attain this result by introducing between the winding device and the spring or other power-accumulating device to be wound a let-01f connection which will permit the spring or other member to unwind partially after it is wound up, and thus prevent straining of the parts by overwinding, and also prevent locking up of the click with the teeth of the wheel ei'lgaged thereby. Ordinarily I will employ some form of pin-andslot connection in the gear-train; but I do not limit myself to these particular devices, nor to any particular species of pin-and-slot connection, as many different varieties or modifications of the latter may be made. In all cases, however, the parts will be so organized that after the spring or other member is wound up it will unwind slightly, the extent of this unwinding being determined usually by the relative sizes of the pin and the slot.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is an enlarged rear elevation of a watch containing a movement illustrating one embodiment of my present invention, parts being broken away to illustrate the construction clearly. Figs. 2, 3, 4E, and 5 are details of the let-off device. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a portion of the watchmovement, the section being taken in the line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail of a modification of the let-oft device. Fig. 8 is a detail of a portion of awatch-movement embodying my improved let-olt device in direct connection with the crown and intermediate wheel of the movement. Fig. 9 is a similar View of another watch-movement embodying my let-off device, in connection with an idle-gear between the winding-wheel and the crown and intermediate wheel. Figs. 10 and 11 are details illustrating the complementary parts of another form of my improved let-01f device. Fig. 12 is a sectional detailillustrating my invention applied to a watch having the winding-gears under the dial, the barrel having no cogs on the outside thereof. Figs. 13 and 1e are front and rear elevations of a portion of a watch-movement somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 12. Figs. 15 to 18,

inclusive, are details of another modification Figs. 19 to 21, incluof the let-off device.

2 seams sive, are details illustrating the application of my let-off device directly to the winding-arbor of the watch-movement. Figs. 22 to 27, inclusive, are details of another modification, illustrating my improved let-off device applied to another form of winding-arbor. Fig. 28 is a sectional view illustrating a portion of an old-style watch-movement with my let-off device attached thereto. Figs. 29 to 30, inclusive, are details illustrating the application of my improvements to another form of \Valtham movement, and Fig. 37is adetailof a modification of: the construction for adapting my improved letoff device to this type of movement.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

My present invention may be applied, as before stated, to many different forms of driving mechanisms, whether these be the timemovements of clocks, watches, dc, or any of the various modifications illustrated in the drawings of this application.

The essential feature of my improvements is the provision between the winding device and the part to be wound of a let-off device by means of which such part may be let down or permitted to unwind to a predetermined extent when wound.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to (3, inclusive, 1 have shown my invention in connection with a sten1- winding watch of the lValtham type. Here the case of the watch, which is designated by O,contains the well-known lValtham movement somewhat modified to admit of the application of my improvements thereto. In this case the usual crown c is connected to a stem 5-, carrying a pinion 2, meshing with one wheel of a gear-train between the winding-stem and the mainspring of the watch, the pinion in the present case engaging the crown-teeth of the usual crown and intermediate wheel 3, by which the movements of the winding pinion and stem may be transmitted to the usual winding-wheel at, secured to the barrel containing the mainspring. (Not shown.) This barrel is indicated at 5, Fig. (3, and is of the wellknown type. Ordinarily in a watch-movement of this type a ratchetwheel is carried by the winding-wheel and moves in unison therewith, such ratchetwheel coacting with a pawl or click supported usually on a bridge 10, secured to the main plate of the watch in the usual manner, as by screws.

The main plate is indicated at 20. In the present case, however, instead of employing a fixed ratchetwheel moving in unison with the winding-wheel I make use of a let-off device which will admit of a slight unwinding motion of the spring after the winding up of the latter is effected. This let-off device will usually be in the form of a pin-and-slot connection between two members of the connections between the winding-stem and the mainspring, and in the construction illustrated in these views I employ a ratchet-wheel somewhat similar to that in common use; but instead of mounting it so that it moves in unison with the winding-wheel ll. support it on said winding-wheel in such amanner that it has a movement relatively to the windingwheel at certain times. This will be obvious by referring to Fig. 1, in which I have shown a barbed ratchet-wheel 8 concentric with the winding-wheel and supported on the latter in such a manner as to be capable of meving slightly relatively thereto. This relative movement in this type of watch-movement may be obtained advantageously by providing a pin-andsl0t connection between the winding-wheel and the ratchet-wheel 8. Either wheel may carry the pin or the slot; but in the construction shown the ratchetwheel is slotted at 15, while the windingwheel has a pin or stud 1G rising therefrom and preferably integral therewith. (See Figs. 2 and 4E.)

The winding-wheel is supported on the windingarbor 17in the usual manner, and this winding-arbor may be tapped at its upper end for the reception of a screw 18, having a countersunk head for holding in 'place a washer 19, engaging the ratchet-wheel S.

In connection with the ratchet-wheel just described I make use of the usual pawl or click 25, supported on the bridge and in position to coact with the teeth of said wheel.

It will be noticed, new, that if the watch is wound up by turning the crown c in the usual manner motion willv be transmitted to the windingwheel 1 before the ratchet-wheel begins to turn, and the pin 16 will move from the posit-ion shown in Fig. 1 to the other end of the slot before said ratchet-wheel moves. Hence when the crown is let go the tension upon the mainspring will cause the windingwheel, with its pin, and therefore the mainspring, to fly back to the position shown in Fig. 1 before the click will become effective to prevent further unwinding of the mainspring and movement of; the winding-wheel and barrel. The extent of the unwinding movement will of course be determined by the relative dimensions of the pin and slot, and particularly by the loi'igth of the slot.

In a modification of the let-ell? device illustrated in Fig. 7, 4t designates a winding-wheel similar to that before described, and 8 a barbed ratchet-wheel corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1. A let-of|f connection is provided between these two parts and has the samefunctions as that before described; but in this instance the ratchet-wheel has a sul stantially sector-shaped slot 1 5" and the winding-wheel has a stop-segment '1 (3, working in a slot 15, which is of greater length than the stop and has its end walls or stop-walls disposed at such an interval as to allow for the necessary movement of the winding-wheel and the mainspring relatively to the ratchetwheel after the mainspring is wound. and while the ratchet-wheel is held by its click.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another modification of the invention in which the let-off device is applied directly to the crown and intermediate wheel instead of to the windingwheel. In this case the crown and interme diate wheel 3 is supported on the bridge in substantially the same manner as the ratchet- Wheel is mounted on the winding-wheel in Figs. 1 and 6. The ratchet-wheel 8 is somewhat smaller in this case; but between it and the crown and intermediate wheel will be the usual pin-and-slot connection, comprising a slot in the ratchet-wheel and a pin 16 projecting from the crown and intermediate wheel. The click or pawl 25 coacts with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, as before stated, and the crown and intermediate wheel meshes directly with a winding-wheel 4 In Fig. 9 is shown a modification of myimprovements in which the let-off device is applied to an idle-gear between the crown and intermediate wheel. In this construction a large crown and intermediate wheel 3 meshes with an idler 30, on which is supported a ratchet-wheel 8, having a slot 15, in which works a pin 16", rising from the idler 30, which latter meshes with the teeth of a windingwheel 4 In this modification, although the pin-and-slot connection or let-off device is between the ratchet-wheel and an idle-gear, the function of the mechanism is the same as in the preceding cases. A click 25 eoacts with this ratchet-wheel in the usual way.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I haveillustrated another modification of the let-off device, in which the winding-wheel 4 has thereon a parti-annular slot 16, between the ends of which is a stop 10, while the ratchet-wheel 8 has thereon a parti-annular ring 15, projecting therefrom, the ends of this ring forming between them a space or recess 15 of sufficient size to permit the stop 16 to have considerable play between the end walls of the recess 15, and thereby enable the mainspring to unwind to the proper extent after being wound. In this construction the sides of the two gear-wheels shown in Figs. 10 and 11 are juxtaposed, with the ring 15 projecting through the annular opening 16.

In Fig. 12 I have illustrated the applicatio of my improvements to a watch-movement of a type in which the let-oft device, including the ratchet-wheel, is located under the dial of the watch and between the bridge 10 and the main plate In this case the winding-arbor 17 is journaled in the bridge and the main plate and carries thereon, adjacent to the main plate, a ratchet-wheel 8 secured to a squared portion of the arbor and coacting with a click ,7also supported on the main plate. In this construction the barrel 5 is adjacent to the ratchet wheel and has a smooth periphery,with no gear-teeth thereon, the winding-wheel 4: being located above the barrel and the ratchet-wheel.

Figs. 13 and 1% illustrate another type of watch-movem ent, in which the winding-wheel train is under the dial, and there is not sufficient space for a winding-wheel adjacent to the ratchet-wheel and the click. In this case the movement of the winding-pinion 2 is transmitted to a crown and intermediate gear 3 on the hub of which is loosely supported for oscillation a swinging bridge 40, carrying a pair of pinions meshing with the intermediate gear 3 and one of which, 41, meshes with the winding-wheel P, a spring holding the swinging bridge, and hence the pinion 41, in the working position. At the other side of the watch-movement the winding-arbor passes through a bridge 10 and its outer squared end receives a disk 50, having an externally-rounded hub, on which a ratchetwheel Sis supported formovement relatively to the disk 50. Between the disk and the ratchet-wheel is the usual let-off or pin-andslot connection, consisting of a slot 15 in the ratchet-wheel and a pin 16 rising from the disk. A pawl or click 25 coacts with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel in the usual manner.

In Figs. 15 to is I have illustrated another modification of my invention, in which a wind-.

ing-wheel 4 and the ratchet-wheel 8 have extending from adjacent side faces thereof coacting project-ions 16 and 15", the latter forming between them recesses 15 in which the projections 16 work, so as to permit relative movement of the winding-wheel with respect to the ratchet-wheel. The manner in which these two parts cooperate will be obvious from the drawings.

Figs. 19 to 21, inclusive, illustrate a modification of my improved let-off device, in which the pin-and-slot connection is applied directly between theratchet-wheel and the winding arbor. wheel, which is designated by 8 is disposed above and is somewhat larger than the winding-wheel at, which winding-wheel is secured to a winding-arbor, (indicated herein by 17 This arbor is stepped, as illustrated clearly in Fig. 21, one of the steps receiving the winding-wheel, while the neXt smaller step supports the ratchet wheel for movement relatively to the winding-arbor. In this case the winding-arbor may have a pin 16 projecting from one of the steps thereof and preferably integral therewith, this pin workin g in a corresponding slot 15 in the ratchet wheel. The ratchet-wheel will be held in place 011 the arbor, substantially in the usual manner, by means of a screw and washer.

In Figs. 22 to 27 I have shown the application of myimproved let-off device to a modified form of winding-arbor, formed in this case in two parts. These two parts are clearly illustrated in detail in these views and embody a main tubular arbor 17 and a secondary arbor 17, working within the tubular bore of the main member 17. Here the upper portion of the main member 17 is squared to receive the winding-wheel 4 and just below the squared portion is a flange or In this case the ratchet-' IIO collar, in one edge of which is a recess 15', into which projects a lug 16", depending from the under side of a flange on the secondary member 17 of the winding-arbor, this latter also having a squared portion to receive the ratchet-wheel S. It will be obvious that as the ratchet-wheel is fixed to the secondary member of the arbor and the winding-wheel is fast to the primary member of the arbor the lug 1t and the recess l5 permitthe winding-wheel and the primary member of the ar her to move relatively to the ratchet-wheel and the secondary member of said arbor after the mainspring is wound.

In Fig. 28 I have illustrated another modification of my invention, showing its adaptation to an old-style watch. Here the barrel 5* forms part of the main plate 20 and is covered by a disk 50, secured to the primary member 17 of a winding-arbor journaled in the main plate and having secured to it a winding-wheel a. The secondary member of this winding-arbor is indicated by 17 and has secured thereto on a squared part a ratchet-wheel 8 Between the two members of this winding-arbor I interpose a let-off connection substantially similar to that illustrated in Figs. 22 to 27, inclusive; but in this modification the primary member 17'' has a circumferential slot 15 in which works a pin 16, projecting radially therethrough from the secondary member 17 of the windingarbor.

In Figs. 29 to 36, inclusive, I have illus trated my invention in connection with the well known new Elgin watch movement. Ilere the crown and intermediate wheel (indicated by 3) is connected with the windingpinion in the usual manner and also with a winding-wheel 4", which has a substantially triangular opening 60, through which may be passed a corresponding triangular projection (31, rising from the hub 61 of the barrel. Of course the winding-wheel 49 rotates with the barrel and the winding-arbor 17', while the ratchet-wheel 8* is supported on the windingwheel and is capable of movement relatively thereto by reason of the pin-and-slot connection therewith. The pin is shown at 16 on the winding-wheel and the slot at 15' on the ratchet-wheel. A click 25, mounted on the bridge 10", eoacts with the barbed teeth of the ratchet-wheel in the usual manner. The ratchet-wheel may be held in position, as may also the windingavheel 1 by a cap, such as (55, having screws adapted to pass into corresponding screw-holes in the projection 61 of the barrel 5", this cap having an undercut head adapted to fill a countersink 66 in the upper side of the ratchet-wheel 8".

In Fig. 37 I have illustrated a modification oi. the watch-movement last described, in which the hub 61 may have therein a slot, such as 15, which of course will coact with a pin depending from the under side of the ratchet-wheel. (Not shown.)

In all of the various constructions in which cozy-i ls my invention may be embodied, as shown herein, it will be seen that provision is made for permitting the mainspring oi the watchmovement to unwind to a 'n'edetermined extent after being wound, thereby preventing the straining of the mainspring and locking upon the click at the end of the winding operation. When this let-oi'i' device is used in connection with stem-winding watches of the usual type,the partial unwinding of the mainspring after it is wound causes the winding stem and pinion to turn in the opposite direc tion from that in which they are moved when. the watch is being wound, and hence it becomes unnecessary to turn the winding-stem in the reverse direction to that for winding the spring.

IIaving described my invention, I claim-- 1. In a time-movemen t, the combination, with a winding device and with a motor, of power-transmitting connections for preventing overwinding of the motor, said connections embodying a pair of rotary members, one of which has a loose connection with, and is movable a predetermined distance relatively to, the other for permitting an innuediate predetermined partial unwinding of the motor after the latter is wound.

2. In a hlHlG-IHOVQIDODE, the combination, with a winding device and with a maiuspring, of power-transmitting connections for pie venting overwinding of said spring and embodying a pair of concentric gear-wheels, one of which has a loose connection with, and movable a predetermined distance relatively to, the other for permitting an immediate predetermined partial unwinding of the spring after the latter is wound, and a stoppawl for one of said gear-wheels.

In a time-movement, the coi'nbination, with a winding device and with a mainspring, of power-transmitting connections between said winding device and spring for preventingoverwinding of the spring and embodying a pair of concentric gear-wheels having a pinand-slot connection and movable relatively to each other for permitting an immediate partial unwinding of the spring after the latter is wound, and a stop-pawl for one of said gear-wheels.

4-. In a time-movemeiiit, the combination, with a winding device and with a mainspring, of power-transmitting connections between said winding device and spring for prcventing overwinding oi' the spring and embodying a pai r of concentric gear-wheels one su po1.'te i on the other, said gearwheels having a pinand-slot connection for permitting an immediate partial unwinding of the spring after the latter is wound, and a stop-pawl for one of said gear-wheels.

5. In a watch-movement, the combination, with a winding-stem and pinion, of a crown and intermediate wheel; a mainspring; a windi ng-wheel; a ratchet-wheel coacting with one of said first-mentioned wheels and having a pin-and-slot connection therewith. [or

relatively thereto and having a pin-and-slot connection therewith for permitting an i1nmediate partial unwinding of the mainspring after the latter is Wound; and a stop-pawl for said ratchet-wheel, the construction being such that overwiuding of the mainspring is prevented.

CHARLES L. TESKE.

\Vitnesses:

O. S. (JAMPIoN, F. N. CHASE. 

